Theresa may

May was greeted by a military band as she arrived for talks at the Chancellery in Berlin on Wednesday, with Brexit featuring high on the agenda. The two leaders stressed that Britain and Germany retained many common interests, and that the process of negotiations over Brexit should reflect that. Chancellor Merkel said that Germany and the EU were listening to what Britain wants, and that they would give a response at the appropriate time. Merkel said she was willing to wait until Britain had a "well defined position" on Brexit. Merkel, who welcomed the fact that May was visiting Germany so early in her term of office, stressed that negotiations on a "Brexit" could only begin when London had triggered Article 50 - the formal mechanism to leave the bloc. "From my point of view it's completely understandable that a few days after the referendum, a few days after a new government in Great Britain is formed, that the government has to first think what are our interests, what exactly … [Read more...] about Brexit looms large as Germany welcomes new UK Prime Minister Theresa May

The leader of the British government is creating an image of a glorious future. Foreign countries are queuing up to give us trading advantages and access to their markets. Or – as Ken Clarke, a conservative member of parliament and one of his party's leading pro-Europeans, suggested – is it more like in Alice in Wonderland: all just a dream? Theresa May needs to shed light on the tangle that is Brexit, and soon. The government "White Paper" that's supposed to illuminate the path towards Brexit is not much help here. It formulates the government's ambitious goals: a free trade agreement with the EU as well as a new customs agreement, but without paying huge sums into the EU budget. It remains unclear why the EU, which has repeatedly denounced the renegade Brits' "cherry-picking," would be interested in any such deal. Promises without concrete substance The government paper makes special promises to the Scots and the Northern Irish, the majority of whom voted against … [Read more...] about Time to tell the truth about Brexit, Theresa May!

British Prime Minister Theresa May convened her cabinet for the first time since the summer break on Wednesday, saying through a spokesperson that the government would seek a unique relationship with the European Union rather than an "off-the-shelf solution." "The PM said that there were two related imperatives: getting the best deal for people at home, and getting the right deal for Britain abroad," said the spokeswoman, adding that "this must mean controls on the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe, but also a positive outcome for those who wish to trade goods and services." Many had been waiting for May to end the summer of political uncertainty with a decisive plan on how Britain would move forward - but specific details of such a plan were scarce. What the government did say, however, was that it would wait until next year to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which would begin the country's official exit, in order develop a solid set of points from … [Read more...] about Theresa May wants ‘unique’ post-Brexit relationship with EU

A party political broadcast for the Conservative Party currently being shown on British television barely mentions the party. It features leader Theresa May giving a speech, as inspirational music plays in the background. At the end of the broadcast, large text asks "Theresa May - or Jeremy Corbyn?" The Conservative Party's emblem is displayed in a much smaller font. This mirrors a wider strategy by the Conservative Party, as Britain heads toward a snap general election on June 8. Numerous campaign events have been brandished with large banners proclaiming "Theresa May's Team," with the Conservative logo barely visible. Local candidates in marginal seats refer to themselves as "Theresa May's local candidate." Read more: UK Conservatives slip in opinion polls ahead of election The motivation for this strategy is clear from the polls, which suggest that the Conservatives have the support of around 40 percent of voters, but that 61 percent believe May is the best choice for … [Read more...] about Theresa May’s cult of personality

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said that on leaving the European Union she intended on striking "the right deal internationally" as well as a "fair deal at home." Sidestepping questions on whether she would prioritize curbing immigration from the EU over Britain's preferential access to the EU's single market, May said it was not a "binary choice." June's referendum was a "vote for us to change that freedom of movement," May added. "We will be able to have control of our borders, control of our laws." Single market mystery Still unable to confirm whether Britain will be leaving the European single market, May said, "We want the best possible deal for UK businesses in the EU and for European companies trading in the UK." Leaders of the remaining 27 EU states, and most recently German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have repeatedly warned the UK that they would "not be able to cherry pick." May denied … [Read more...] about UK Prime Minister Theresa May to set out Brexit plans ‘in coming weeks’

Britain will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - which sets the rules for a two-year negotiating process for a nation leaving the EU - by the end of March, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, May said: "As you know, I have been saying that we wouldn't trigger it before the end of this year so that we get some preparation in place." "But yes, I will be saying in my speech today that we will trigger Article 50 before the end of March next year." The prime minister will further outline her plans for Britain's divorce from the European Union in her keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham later on Sunday. Earlier, in a front-page story in "The Sunday Times" under the headline "May fires starting gun," May announced her plans to make Britain "a sovereign and independent country" by repealing the act that brought the United Kingdom into the European Union. "We will introduce, in the next Queen's Speech, a Great … [Read more...] about Theresa May: UK to trigger Article 50 by end of March 2017

Speaking in front of a grey and white map of the world with the motto "Shared History, Shared Challenges, Shared Future" British Prime Minister Theresa May read her 5,000-word Cabinet-approved speech in a building, reported to be a disused police barracks, next door to the ancient Santa Maria Novella church in Florence, Italy on Friday. Never at home in Europe? May suggested Britain had for geographical reasons never felt completely part of Europe and the vote to leave taken narrowly in the referendum in June 2016 was in part to regain "domestic democratic control" from the EU. The prime minister suggested there was a profound responsibility to make the decision work and be "imaginative and creative" in making a new relationship between the UK and the EU. May referred to the 14 papers published by the UK on Brexit and three rounds of sometimes "tough" negotiations with "concrete progress" being made on issues such as Northern Ireland and the … [Read more...] about UK PM Theresa May proposes Brexit transition in Florence speech

After three rounds of negotiations, Brexit talks have reached an impasse. That is the view of the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, and that is why he was not particularly optimistic about Theresa May's speech in Florence on Friday. "The speech shows a willingness to move forward, as time is of the essence," noted Barnier. While the UK prime minister had delivered her much-anticipated address, he said she must now prove her "constructive spirit" and put forth concrete proposals. Why Florence? May chose the Italian Renaissance city as the backdrop for her speech because of its history as a trading power, according to 10 Downing Street. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Florence was practically the heart of European commerce. Perhaps the prime minister was hoping for a renaissance of her own in UK-EU relations. "We may be leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe," was the message May conveyed, as she so often has. So does Florence indeed symbolize … [Read more...] about EU expects concrete Brexit proposals from UK’s Theresa May

British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jeade-Claude Juncker said on Monday that deadlocked talks over Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) "should accelerate over the months to come." The 90-minute dinner meeting between the two leaders in Brussels — which the British press had called "emergency talks" — took place at a crucial moment, just days before Britain and the EU meet for the sixth round of Brexit talks to try to break through the political standstill that has stalled negotiations and increased fears that Britain will crash out of the union without an agreement come March 2019. May's visit to the EU capital also included calls with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish premier, Leo Varadkar. A planned visit? The prime minister's office insisted that Monday's meeting between May and Juncker had been scheduled for weeks. However, it was not in Juncker's … [Read more...] about Brexit talks: Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker pledge to ‘accelerate’ negotiations

This last week was all about Theresa May. We saw the British prime minister in Brussels talking to four flower pots. Maybe because nobody will listen to her in her own government? Or was she silently praying to the God of small things to make her horrible day, the awful EU summit and the whole dreadful Brexit thing go away? Maybe May was considering quitting politics entirely, just getting up and leaving for a quiet life in the country with husband Philip. But as the dutiful daughter of a clergyman she stayed the course. History will decide whether she did herself, her country and the rest of us a favor or not. This was the week of the summit meeting where the EU and Britain were slowly getting hints of progress in the Brexit talks, with the hope of making enough headway by Christmas. Member states gave the green light for internal talks about the possible nature of a future deal. That was almost no news disguised as moderately good news. Loose talk or Machiavellian intrigue? Too … [Read more...] about Brexit Diaries 15: Theresa May and Machiavellian intrigue